Red, red wine

The Row and DVF via style.com || Neiman Marcus September Book

I love it when designers are inspired by drinking.  From shoes to furs, they are giving us a little cabernet everywhere we turn.  (Side note: currently enjoying a glass of shiraz.)  To make it modern, consider wearing the color from head to toe.  This doesn't mean the exact same color (though, that's not a bad thing these days - see image above), but try mixing different shades of cab sav.  Maybe a bordeaux blouse with wide leg red pants.  Or a red-orange top with a merlot skirt.  A blouse-y cranberry tunic tucked into a maxi skirt or high waist pants to carry spring's boho chic into fall.  And structured handbags put back with any of these looks add polish.

sash-tie blouse 44.90  ||  maxi skirt 39.50  ||  chiffon tank 39.90  ||  lace sweater 17.80

wide leg pants 345  ||  handbag 375  ||  tunic blouse 178  ||  oxford pumps 110

ankle-strap pumps 275  ||  structured tote 348

Now, if there is one bordeaux item you must add into your wardrobe, it is shoes.  This color will be your new neutral and you will wear it forever with any and every color in your wardrobe.  There really isn't a color that it can't go back to. Really. If you find one in your closet, email me and I'll tell you you're wrong.  Find a bordeaux shoe now while they're so available in a range of styles and price points to fit your closet and your budget.

Questions about how to wear one of this season's trends or how to update a favorite piece in your wardrobe? Email me here.

Fall 2011 trends

The kids are back in school and September issues are arriving in the mail.  It must be fall.  I've been putting off writing a fall trends post because 1) it's still 107 degrees here and 2) I was still shopping fall product and deciding what my favorite trends are this season.  After visiting my favorite retailers this week and reading what the fashion industry has to say about it, here are my top pics for Fall 2011 trends:
 

I'll be adding looks throughout the season and sharing how to add a few trends to your current wardrobe to keep you updated this fall.  In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions on how to style a piece (new or old) or how to incorporate a trend into your closet or any other fashion advice needed.

digital image created by {mommy chic}. background image from gucci via style.com. fall trends list compiled from neiman marcus, saks fifth avenue, style.com and wwd.

New Fall Hue: Mustard

This fall is a refreshing change from the darkness that's normally seen on the runways (or my closet).  Of course black is still the predominant, moody fall staple, but it's punctuated with pops of Klein blue, all shades of red, winter white, and jade.  One color you don't see very much is this golden-y mustard hue injected into a few designers' collections.  It's a tough color to wear, but with the right skin tone or styling, it's stunning.

Not the hue for you?  Try adding a subtle detail like a scarf, bracelet or clutch.  If mustard does not compliment your skin tone when worn against your face, you can wear it on the bottom as a pant or skirt with a color on top that better suits you. 

Or win a mustard scarf here!

images (L to R): Miu Miu | Proenza Schouler | JCrew | Akris | Lanvin | Jil Sander | The Row | Carvel
all images via

Blue me away

I'm absolutely in love with the simplicity of this outfit. A basic white tee and belted skirt make a bold statement when the skirt is a gorgeous, pleated, just-below-the-knee, cobalt blue. Hair in a bun, nude shoes, cuff bracelet - perfectly styled.

via

Why this works: The skirt is longer, which makes such a bright color more sophisticated and ladylike.  Because the skirt is below her knee, the nude heels elongate her legs.  (If you can't walk around in heels all day, nude or soft gold ballet flats or sandals would also work.)  No extravagant layers of jewelry needed here.  A knotted necklace and cuff bracelet complement the skirt without overpowering.  A couple of layered, delicate necklaces could work too, but I prefer one big piece. 

Dig into your closet (which you can do now that you've waxed it) and find a similar look that you could try.  Then email me so I can brag about imparting some of my useless knowledge to the world.  (Like this nugget.)

Boho chic

Bohemian influences are everywhere this spring.  The skinny pant is being replaced with a wide leg pant and flat sandals are taking over 5" heels.  This is not to say that you still can't wear your skinny jeans or high heels (I know I can't afford to lose the extra height!) but designers are showing an easier look on the runways. 

Boho-chic is about flowy pieces, fringe, macrame and owls.  (Lucky me.)  You can wear a flat sandal, wedge or platform shoe for a fresh spring look. Jeans and pants alike are getting wider leg openings and higher rises.  (A plus for those with problems finding jeans that fit the hip and rear but always gap in the back.  The higher rise should eliminate the gap and the wider leg will give you more room in the thighs and balance out full hips.)

Fringe, this spring, is like last fall's fur.  It's everywhere.  And no rabbits were harmed in the making of said fringe.  (Cow's didn't get so lucky. Sorry.)

So pick up one piece or try them all, but get ready for a bohemian rhapsody.

blouse, hat, necklace, clutch, gladiator, jeans

Sunday Sunday Sunday

The Super Bowl is upon us and while most people look forward to watching two teams battle it out on the field, I look forward to all the game day food.  Then again, I look forward to food no matter what the occasion.  I'm thinking a big sweater, fuzzy boots and pops of color (that are in no way associated with either team playing) will be the go-to look for the day.  Do you have Super Bowl party plans?

 blouse, sweater, watch, boots, jeans, necklace
 

Drop it like it's hot

This spring, hemlines are hanging lower than Lady Gaga's saggy breasts.  The maxi dress and long skirt is back and all over the runways.

images via

This trend may seem unreasonable to wear to work, run around with kiddos, walk without tripping...but it's really not.  First, they're ridiculously comfortable.  After wearing skinny jeans and leggings all winter, wouldn't you want to just have fabric that drapes over your skin, rather than clinging on for dear life?  Second, designers are putting this look back with flats or slight platforms.  No 5" heels here.  The look is a 70's boho ease - long dress and flat sandals. 

You can wear your maxi dress now with a sweater, cardigan or blazer (to work) and peel off the layers as the weather turns warm.  I just wore my long navy maxi dress this past weekend to a kid's birthday party with a gray boyfriend cardigan and boots.  It was so comfortable and I had no problem playing hostess AND mommy.  And if I can do two things at once, this dress has to be easy to wear.

A few (more affordable) picks:

More Forever 21...

Hue new

Wearing a solid outfit in a neutral like camel, black or gray is easy and always classic.  It makes you appear taller and slimmer and doesn't take much planning to pull it off.

Wearing a solid outfit in one color, on the other hand, is a little harder to pull off. The trick is to keep within the same shade, but not exactly the same color -- unless of course you are living in a retirement community in Florida wearing your jogging suit before tonight's game of canasta.

This fall, designers are showing bright colors from head-to-toe:

image via

Below are a couple of more practical options in berry and lime sherbet to inspire you. 

Purple long sleeve sweater, Victorias Secret $29 (orig $38)

Purple tiered skirt, Charlotte Russe $10.99 (orig $22.50)

Black bow belt, Steve Madden $38

Suede pumps, Urban Outfitter $48

Lime cashmere sweater, Bluefly $89 (orig $240)

Sage green cargo pants, LOFT $19.99 (orig $59)

Gray knitted cuff boot, asos $71.51 (orig $193.76)

Purple clutch, Kitson $48

Kmart 2010 Fall Campaign

I was perusing through my 726-page, 10-lb September issue of Vogue over the weekend and noticed an ad spread from Kmart.  Kmart???  In Vogue?!  And it's right on-trend and oh-so affordable!  What do you think?  Which pieces will you add to your fall wardrobe?

Attention 3/4 Length Military Jacket $99.99

Attention Faux Fur Vest $59.99

Route 66 Short Military Jacket $29.99

 Camouflage Sequin Tank $14.99

Attention Bomber Jacket $39.99

Revolution Lace Print Tee $16.99; 

Route 66 Cargo Pant $24.99

Attention Short Pea Coat $89.99 and Necklace Tee $16.99

 all images via Kmart.

Caped crusader

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailer's site:

1. Nordstrom $78
2. J. Jill $29.99 (on sale from $99)
3. Anthropologie $58
4. Old Navy $39.50

I can't say the word "pancho" without thinking about Ugly Betty, so while magazines and retailers may be using that term, I prefer to refer to them as capelets.  Whatever you want to call them, they are everywhere this season and provide the volume on top to balance your skinny jeans or leggings.  They're also great for days when you're afraid to walk by a mirror and catch a glimpse of last night's too-much-Mexican-food-bloat.  Throw them on over a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck, some boots or clogs and a big statement ring and you're done.  Bring on the margaritas, extra salt.

uh-ten-shun!

Today's look: military inspiration from Forever 21 and olive green boots (with a low heel for running around!) from Steve Madden.

Click on any of the images to purchase or view on retailer's site:

Jacket by XXI
Jean leggings by Gap Boots by Steve Madden

falling for fall

Neiman Marcus July Book

Fall is here, fall is here! Sweaters, leggings and boots, oh my! Ken Downing, Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus, lists his top fall 2010 trends in the photo above. Other trends include:

• Classic Fifties (think hourglass silhouettes, bustiers and below the knee pencil skirts, a la Mad Men)
• Color (head to toe in the same hue)
• Borrowed from the boys (a feminine take on masculine's pieces)
• Long skirts, kitten heels and flat boots

I love the mix of tough olive green & military inspired pieces back with feminine fur, feathers and pearls. And pencil skirts are forever my go-to piece when I'm late for work and need to throw something on without thinking too hard.

These trends can be found at any price point and it's easy to pick up one of this season's pieces to go back to all the basics you already have in your closet. Happy fall!